Storage shelving

ABSTRACT

A storage shelving (1) for piece goods has storage compartments (5) arranged both next to and stacked one above the other and is equipped with a controllable device for dispensing the piece goods by pushing them out the storage compartments (5). Cross members (10), which are movable parallel to the bottoms of the storage compartments (5), are associated with the adjacent rows of storage compartments (5). The cross members have separately actutable drivers (13) which are associated with the individual storage compartments (5) of the corresponding row. When in the actuated position, the drivers (13) push the piece goods out of the storage compartments (5). To reduce the number of drive devices of the dispensing device, the cross members (10) are attached to a common support frame (25) and can be moved together with the aid of this support frame (25).

The invention relates to a storage shelf for items, said storage shelfcomprising adjacently arranged and superposed storage compartments and acontrollable dispensing device for shifting the items out of the storagecompartments, the dispensing device including cross members associatedto the rows of adjacently arranged storage compartments and movable inparallel to the compartment bottoms thereof, the cross memberscooperating with separately activatable drivers associated to theindividual storage compartments of the respective row so as to shift theitems out of the respective storage compartments in the activated stateof the drivers, when the cross members are moved forwards. The items maybe contained in the storage compartments in vertical stacks, yet also inhorizontal stacks.

Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement comprising severalsuch storage shelves.

From U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,942 A, a pharmaceutical dispensing cabinet isknown, wherein storage cubicles for prepackaged pharmaceuticals areprovided in horizontal and vertical rows, wherein for each storagecubicle a probe is provided for pushing out the pharmaceutical packages,which probe is mounted behind the respective storage cubicle in abushing and is capable of pushing out each lowermost pharmaceuticalpackage of the vertical package stacks present in the storage cubicle.To perceive probe activations, spring-actuated pivot vanes are providedin the path of the probe behind the storage cubicles. The probeactivation is provided so as to otherwise prevent access to thepharmaceutical packages in the cabinet. This known construction thus iscomparatively complicated and hardly suitable for commissioning systems.

On the other hand, commissioning systems have become known in manyinstances, in which items are dispensed under computer control fromstorage compartments (often also termed channels, magazines or storagecontainers) of storage shelves, for which purpose the most varyingejectors, one for each storage compartment, had been provided,constituting a considerable expenditure, cf., e.g., EP 26,754 A, EP165,918 A, EP 515,350 B, yet also EP 560,206 A or EP 592,729; in suchsystems, the items as a rule are automatically put onto a conveyingbelt, depending on the commissioning order, optionally with a previousintermediate storage (cf., e.g., AT 391,671 B), and from this conveyingbelt they are transported to a transfer station, to a further conveyingbelt (cf. e.g., EP 183,074), or to a packaging region.

A storage shelf of the initially defined type is known from U.S. Pat.No. 5,439,345 A. In detail, two steep, slantedly abutting storageshelves are provided in an A-arrangement in whose storage compartmentsthe items are superposed in stacks. To eject the lowermost items, crossmembers provided with a common drive are provided to which a driver inthe form of a cuboid-shaped ejector for each item stack can becomeattached via a solenoid if the solenoid is activated. The common driveof the cross members is effected by a drivable disk arranged between thestorage shelves, the drivable disk comprising excentrically arrangedgrooves on either side, each groove guiding one end of a two-armedrocking lever whose other end is connected with the cross member. It isalso provided that always two superposed rows of adjacent storagecompartments are mounted in the storage shelves, a further disk beingrequired for the drive. The known construction is relatively complex,complicated and thus susceptible to failure, in particular if the numberof superposed compartment rows were increased.

The invention aims at providing a storage shelf of the initially definedtype, in which the expenditures for the dispensing device including itsdrive are as low as possible and an efficient dispensing procedure isenabled by parallel shift-out actions, also under the control of acomputer, and which optionally can be used for the most diversecommissioning systems according to the prior art (e.g. as indicatedabove).

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the crossmembers are attached to a common, drivable support frame and thus aremovable in common by aid of this support frame.

Instead of one individual driving device per row of adjacent storagecompartments, thus with the present storage shelf the arrangement isstructurally simple in an advantageous manner, with a total of only onedriving device being required per storage shelf. To shift out storeditems of only some selected storage compartments in random rows, therespective drivers on the cross members of the support frame areactivated, preferably under the control of a computer; where the driversare not activated, no items will be shifted out. A further advantageconsists in that the drivers may also be attached to the cross membersso as to be detachable therefrom or movable, in particular movable alongthe cross members, so as to enable an adaptation to the storagecompartments--if the latter are defined by adjustable partition walls.By the simultaneous occurrence of the shift-out operations by aid of thecross members simultaneously moved via the support frame, time is saved,and a large number of items can be ejected simultaneously; the shift-outactions are also repeatable in rapid succession so that commissioningorders can be filled within a short time.

In a preferred simple embodiment of the support frame it is advantageousif the cross members are interconnected via lateral ledges to form thesupport frame.

According to an advantageous embodiment with smooth running crossmembers it is provided for the cross members to be displaceably mounted,via rollers attached to their ends, in guide rails on a framework of thestorage shelf.

The cross members may also be drivable in common, by the support frame,by at least one (pneumatic or hydraulic) working cylinder.

For a mechanically simple, space-saving construction of the drivingdevice it is furthermore suitable if the support frame, preferably inthe region of the uppermost and lowermost cross members, is connectedwith chain drives the chain wheels of which being mounted in a frameworkof the storage shelf via shafts, the shafts being synchronously drivablepreferably by a single motor. Via catch pins or the like which engage inthe chain(s), the support frame may, in a manner known per se, in thisinstance be coupled with the chain drive for forward and rearwardmovements.

In the embodiments explained before, the cross members, if they carrythe drivers directly, move forwards and rearwards between the superposedstorage compartment rows, and since they are interconnected to a unitvia the support frame, the bottoms of the storage compartment can befixed at the front side of the shelf (i.e. at the delivery side) and cancantelever freely towards the rear side so that the vertical lateralbeams or struts can move along on the shelf. In any event, this iswithout any problems if the stored items are not too heavy; optionally,the bottoms may also be provided with ribs, webs etc. (preferably ontheir lower side) for stiffening purposes. On the other hand, with thisembodiment a slight shelf depth is possible, since practically theentire shift-out unit (support frame, cross member) can move forwardsand rearwards within the shelf depth required for the storagecompartments.

If, on the other hand, there is sufficient space behind the storagecompartments, at the rear side of the shelf, it may be particularlyadvantageous--to also enable supporting of the compartment bottoms atthe shelf sides, if the cross members are fastened to the ends of armsprojecting from the support frame in the movement direction thereof,wherein preferably at least some of these arms, via rollers, are mountedin lateral guide rails which are fastened in a framework of the storageshelf.

To avoid canting, here it is also suitable for the drive if toothedledges are provided on at least two arms which mesh with toothed wheelswhich are fastened on a common shaft that is mounted in the frameworkand connected with a driving device, preferably one common motor.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the storage shelf ofthe invention it is provided for the drivers to be connected with thecross members via arms, and for additional arms to be arranged on thesupport frame which carry rollers at their ends, the rollers beingmounted in guide rails on a framework of the storage shelf. In thisembodiment, the arms individually project from the rear into the storagecompartments when the support frame is moved forwards.

Here, it is also suitable if the support frame, e.g. at approximatelythe middle of its height, is connected with working cylinders fastenedto the framework. Preferably, pneumatic cylinders are used.

On the other hand, for a smooth working construction, it is alsoadvantageous if the cross members of the support frame define carriageswith wheels running in lateral guides.

Here it has proven suitable if at least the uppermost and the lowermostcarriage which are associated to one row each of adjacent storagecompartments are coupled with a crank disk via a connecting rod whoseshaft is mounted in a framework of the storage shelf.

Here, it is furthermore suitable for the synchronous drive if the crankdisks of all carriages are coupled one to each other by toothed beltsand driven via one driving device.

It has also proven to be advantageous if the guides and the storagecompartments are arranged to be downwardly inclined in the shift-outdirection. This facilitates shifting out of the items in an advantageousmanner.

It is also particularly advantageous if on at least one cross member,preferably on each cross member, in the region of at least one driver, asensor monitoring the shift-out operation at the associated storagecompartment is arranged which advantageously also senses whether thestorage compartment contains items or is empty. These sensors thus notonly monitor the shift-out procedure, much rather they can fulfill adouble function by monitoring also the state of filling of the storagecompartments which is aided by the fact that they are movable, sincethey are arranged on the cross members. The sensors may, e.g., bemechanical sensors, e.g. micro-switches, preferably, however, opticalsensors are used which may, e.g., be based on reflection lightmeasurement or may be formed by photoelectric barriers.

A further structurally advantageous embodiment consists in that in theiractivated state, the drivers project upwardly from their cross membersmovable below the bottoms of the storage compartments, through slots inthe bottoms, while they are present below the bottoms in thenon-activated state. The drivers may be pushed out via separate drives,e.g. by rack and pinion gears. In a preferred embodiment of the drivers,however, it is provided for the drivers to be formed or driven,respectively, by extendable magnetic cores of solenoids arranged on thecross members.

Like earlier storage shelves, the present storage shelves may beinserted into computer-controlled commissioning systems, the presentstorage shelves may, e.g., be particularly suitable for so-called"slowly rotating" items, since a simplified dispensing device anddriving means proves to be particularly suitable therefor. In thisconnection, the invention also provides for a particularly advantageousstorage shelf arrangement with a simplified driving device which ischaracterized in that (as known per se) on either side of a conveyingbelt, opposite storage shelves are provided and the carriages ofopposite storage shelves are driven via associated connecting rods by acommon crank disk arranged between the storage shelves.

The invention will now be explained in more detail by way of exemplaryembodiments illustrated in the drawings to which, however, it shall notbe restricted.

FIG. 1 shows a schematically illustrated top view of commissioningstorage shelves (shortly termed storage shelves hereinafter) set upadjacent a conveying belt;

FIG. 2 shows a rear view of one of the storage shelves according to FIG.1, wherein the general storage shelf structure is illustrated and-thesupport frame is not visible in detail;

FIG. 3 shows a top view of a bottom of a storage compartment used in thestorage shelf according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a detail of the storage shelf according to FIG. 2 in asection along line IV--IV of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5 to 10 show three further embodiments of storage shelves, each inschematical rear view and side view;

FIG. 11 shows a schematical side view of a particularly preferredembodiment of a storage shelf;

FIG. 12 shows a schematical side view of a particularly preferredembodiment of storage shelves arranged on either side of a conveyingbelt; and

FIG. 13 shows a top view of the arrangement of storage shelves accordingto FIG. 10.

According to FIG. 1, storage shelves 1, 2 and 3 are arranged adjacent aconveying belt 4 so as to form a commissioning system for items ofvarious types, e.g. for pharmaceutical products or for tobacco products.

Each storage shelf, e.g. 1, has storage compartments 5 in adjacent andsuperposed arrangement which are laterally separated from each other bypartition walls 6 and at their lower side have a common plate-shapedbottom 7 illustrated in FIG. 3. The storage compartments 5 formed inthis manner are arranged in a framework 8. The superposed rows ofstorage compartments 5 are arranged in spaced relationship, i.e. theupper sides of the partition walls 6 end at a distance below the bottoms7 such that an intermediate space 9 extending over the entire width ofthe respective horizontal row of the storage compartments 5 is formedbetween each bottom plate 7 and the upper rim of the partition walls 6which serves for inserting cross members 10 of a support frame 25, whichcross members 10 define a dispensing device (cf. FIGS. 5 to 12), forshifting items 11 present in the storage compartments 5 in therespective lowermost position of vertical stacks out of the storagecompartments 5 in the direction to the front or dispensing side, towardsthe conveying belt 4 (cf. FIG. 1). The cross members 10 carry, e.g.,displaceable solenoids 12 associated with the individual storagecompartments 5, the rod-shaped cores thereof projecting upwards so as toform drivers 13 for the lowermost items 11. The cross members 10 of thesupport frame 25 are movable in a direction towards the front side andback from the front side. In the activated state of the solenoids 12,the cores thereof are moved upwards as catches 13, and by projectingthrough longitudinal slots 14 in the bottoms 7 (cf. FIG. 3) into therespective storage compartment 5 they can abut at the rear side of therespective lowermost item-11 and push the same forwards towards thedispensing side or conveying belt 4, respectively, if the support frame25 is set into forward motion. For this purpose, a drive device in formof pneumatic or hydraulic double-active operating cylinders 15 isprovided in the embodiment according to FIG. 1, wherein each supportframe 25 has an associated cylinder 15, as is also schematically shownin FIG. 2. In detail, the respective support frame 25 may be screwed tothe associated piston rod 16. The lateral ends of the cross members 10are each displaceably mounted via a roller 17 in C-shaped guide rails 18which are fastened in the framework 8.

From FIGS. 1 and 2 it is furthermore apparent that the free ends of thecylinders 15 are fastened to an upright 19 which is connected with theframework 8 via an upper and a lower horizontal transverse strut 20, 21.

Actuation of the cylinders 15 and of the solenoids 12 is effectedcomputer-controlled in a per se conventional manner (not illustrated).

To shift out an item from one or several of the storage compartments 5,via a discharge opening 22 (cf. FIG. 4) at the front side of the shelf,the respective solenoids 12 and the cylinders 15 of the correspondingstorage shelves 1, 2, 3 are activated. Via a sensor 23 arranged at thedischarge opening, e.g. a light barrier or a micro-switch, the completeshifting out of the respective item 11 can be sensed, whereupon thesolenoid(s) 12 are deactivated, and subsequently the cylinder(s) 15 onthe other side are pressurized so that the support frame 25 and thus thecross members 10 with the solenoids 12 return from the forward endposition illustrated at the right-hand side in FIG. 4 in broken lineinto the rear starting position illustrated at the left-hand side.

Instead of a pressure cylinder drive it is, of course, also possible toprovide a different drive for the support frame 25, such as a chain orrope drive or crank disk drive capable of being integrated in theframework 8, cf. also the following description of further exemplaryembodiments. What is essential is that via the support frame 25, in eachstorage shelf all the cross members 10 and thus all the solenoids 12 aresimultaneously movable in the direction towards the conveying belt 4,wherein basically merely one driving device is required.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 6, the cross members 10 areconnected by means of lateral beams or struts 24 into a uniform supportframe 25 for the solenoids 12. In extension of these cross members 10,catch pins 26 project from the lateral ends of the uppermost andlowermost cross members 10 and are connected with one element of theupper chain 27 or of the lower chain 28, respectively; these chains 27,28 have associated pairs of chain wheels 29, 30 which are mounted in theframework 8 via upper and lower shafts 31, 32. One of the lower shafts32 is connected with a drive motor 33 fastened to the framework 8 bymeans of a gear 34, whereas the other lower shaft 32 comprises anadditional chain wheel 35 which is in driving connection with anadditional chain wheel 37 on one of the upper shafts 31 via a chain 36,so that when the drive motor 33 is activated or turned on, the chainwheels 29, 30, 35 and 37 are rotated simultanously and thus the frame 25including the solenoids 12 is driven uniformly. By changing therotational direction of the drive motor 33, also the direction ofmovement of the support frame 25 is reversed accordingly.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 6, the storage compartments 5are fastened to the front wall of the framework 8 in the manner of acantelevering console so that the movement of the support frame 25 or ofits cross members 10 and lateral beams 24, respectively, in theintermediate spaces 9 as well as laterally of the end-side storagecompartments 5 is not impeded. The rear sides of the storagecompartments 5 may be designed to be open over the entire compartmentheight so as to facilitate the filling thereof with the items 11. Withhorizontally oriented storage compartments 5, also retaining parts, e.g.flaps or detachable sliding walls, for the items 11 may be provided atthe rear sides of the storage compartments 5 to prevent the items 11from falling out.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cross members 10are fastened with the solenoids 12 at the ends of two arms 38a, 38b, 38ceach projecting forwardly of a support frame 25 which, similar to theexemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 6, is formed of crossmembers 10a and vertical lateral beams 24. At the sides of the middlearms 38b, toothed ledges 39 are fastened each meshing with a toothedwheel 40, the toothed wheels 40 in common being fastened on a shaft 41mounted in the framework 8 and being driven by a drive motor 33 fastenedto the framework 8 and comprising a gear 34. At the sides of theuppermost and lowermost arms 38a, 38c, rollers 42 are attached which aredisplaceably mounted in C-shaped guide rails 43 attached to theframework 8. By activating or turning on the drive motor 33, bothtoothed ledges 39 and thus the frame/cross member unit--aresimultaneously put into motion; again, the direction of movement isreversed by changing the rotational direction of the drive motor 33.

The storage compartments 5, i.e. the bottoms 7 and partition walls 6thereof, are fastened to the front side of the framework 8, as with theembodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 6, and the storage compartments 5may be designed to be open at their upper and rear sides.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 9 and 10, the solenoids are eachindividually fastened to arms 44 projecting finger-like from a supportframe 25 formed by cross members 10a and lateral beams 24, which armsform an upper, a middle and a lower arm row 46a, 45b, 45c. At the levelof the middle arm row 45b, the support frame 25 is provided with angularprojections 46 on either side which are each connected with a piston rod47 of a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 48, the cylinders 48 in turnbeing fastened to a transverse part 49 of the framework 8. At the fourcorners of the support frame 25, additional arms 44' are attached eachcarrying rollers 50 at their end, which rollers 50 are displaceablymounted in C-shaped guide rails 51 on the framework 8. By activating thetwo cylinders 48, the support frame 25 is directly set into motion.

In this embodiment, the storage compartments 5 can be designed to beclosed on all sides except for an opening for inserting the finger-likearms 44, i.e. there need be neither a freely cantilevering bottom nor anintermediate space 9. Optionally, the lateral partition walls, in termsof height, may be designed to be continuous over the superposed storagecompartments 5 and the rear sides of the storage compartments may beopen, wherein, however, the entire height of the superposed items 11must be less than the distance between the lower edges of the crossmembers 10 and the bottoms 7.

In the embodiment of a storage shelf illustrated in FIG. 11, which isparticularly preferred at present, the cross members 10 of the supportframe 25 define carriages 52, the two ends of the cross members 10 withthe solenoids 12 per storage compartment 5 being each connected with asmall sled having wheels 53, which is displaceably guided in a guiderail 54 that is slightly downwardly inclined in the shift-out direction,the guide rail 54 being attached below the likewise slantedly inclinedstorage compartments 5 adjacently arranged in a row. The storagecompartments 5 are, e.g., fastened to lateral ledges 55 of the framework8. The carriages 52 of each row of storage compartments 5 are coupledvia a hinged lateral connecting rod 56 with a crank disk 57, wherein theshafts 58 of the crank disks 57 are mounted in the framework 8 and thecrank disks 57 can be coupled among each other, e.g. by toothed belts59, so that via one drive motor 33 with gear 34, which is, e.g., coupledto the lowermost shaft 58, the cross members 10 or carriages 52 allsimultaneously can be set into motion in the direction towards thedischarge opening 22, if the crank disks 57 rotate in the direction ofthe arrow V. At the lowermost storage compartment 5, the carriage 52 orthe cross member 10, respectively, is represented with an extended catch13, illustrated in broken lines, in its end position.

When the items 11 reach the shelf front side, they pass onto a conveyingbelt 4 via a chute 60.

By reversing the rotational direction of the drive motors 33, thecarriages 52 can return to their starting position. Optionally,however--as is preferred--such a reversion of the rotational directioncan be omitted, and the return of the cross members 10 is effectedsimply by further rotating the crank disks 57; accordingly, a firstrotation of the crank disks 57 by 180° corresponds to a forward strokeof the cross member 10, and upon rotation by further 180°, the crossmembers 10 are moved back again.

Behind each one of the solenoids 12, a sensor 23' is arranged on thecarriage 52 or cross member, respectively, which may, e.g., be designedas a photoelectric barrier or micro-switch, and which, on the one hand,can monitor the shift-out procedure and, on the other hand, canascertain whether the respective storage compartment 5 is still filledwith items 5 or is already empty.

Similar to the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 6, the cross members10 are interconnected in a support frame 25. For stability purposes, thestorage compartments 5 are furthermore fastened with their front sidesto section carriers 61 extending transversly to the shift-out direction;for the carriages 52 arranged in the middle, the crank disks 57including the connection rods 56 are omitted.

As a rule, of course, more than the illustrated three rows of storagecompartments 5 are superposed. It is also conceivable to successivelystack the items 11 in the storage compartments 5 and shift out one, twoect. items 11 successively by correspondingly activating the catches 13.

The arrangement of storage shelves illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13comprises storage shelves 1, 1' and 2, 2' arranged on either side of theconveying belt 4 to enable an efficient utilisation of the availablespace, wherein also , e.g., three or four storage shelves 1, 2 or 1', 2'can be arranged adjacently on either side. These storage shelves 1, 2;1', 2' generally correspond to the embodiment according to FIG. 11, andthe structural elements corresponding to those of the embodimentaccording to FIG. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Thecarriages 52 of respective opposite storage shelves 1, 1'; 2, 2' hereare each driven by a common crank disk 57 arranged in the middle betweenthe storage shelves 1, 1'; 2, 2', via their associated connecting rods56. The crank disks 57 are, e.g., mounted via shafts 58 in a web 62interconnecting the frameworks 8 of the storage shelves 1, 1' and 2, 2'.As in the embodiment according to FIG. 11, the superposed crank disks 57are coupled among each other by toothed belts 59. The shaft 58 of theuppermost crank disk 57 additionally comprises a toothed wheel 63 which,via a toothed belt 64, is coupled with a toothed wheel 65 of a drivemotor 33 with gear 34. At each shift-out procedure, the crank disks 57are each rotated by 360° so that a reversion of the rotational directionof the drive motor 33 is not required.

The discharged items then pass over the conveying belt 4, which, e.g.,has the function of a collecting belt--yet, optionally also that of acentral belt--to a conveying belt 4' arranged to follow the storageshelves 1, 1', optionally into a container 66 on the conveying belt 4',to be transported to a collecting site (not illustrated) thereafter. Incase of an arrangement comprising merely three or four storage shelves1,2 . . . ; 1', 2'. . . per side (so that a total length of e.g., 5 to 6m is obtained) and a storage of "slowly turning" items, e.g. itemsbelonging to only one comissioning order are respectively collected onthe conveying belt 4, which may be stopped during this time (collectingbelt function). It is, of course, also conceivable to use the conveyingbelt 4 as central belt, on which the items are heaped and transported ingroups, corresponding to the commissioning orders.

Instead of the conveying belts 4 and 4', respectively, of course alsoother conveying techniques, such as roller paths, can be used.

What is claimed is:
 1. A storage shelf (1, 2, 3) for items comprisingadjacently arranged and superposed storage compartments (5) and acontrollable dispensing device for shifting the items out of the storagecompartments (5), the dispensing device including slider partsassociated to the rows of adjacently arranged storage compartments (5)and movable in parallel to the compartment bottoms thereof, the sliderparts cooperating with separately activatable drivers (13) associated tothe individual storage compartments (5) of the respective row so as toshift the items out of the respective storage compartments (5) in theactivated state of the drivers (13), when the slider parts are movedforwards, the drivers (13), in in their activated state, projectingupwardly from their slider parts movable below the bottoms (7) of thestorage compartments (5), through slots (14) in the bottoms (7), whilebeing present below the bottoms (7) in their non-activated state,characterized in that the superposed slider parts formed by beam-likecross members (10) are interconnected to a uniform, rigid, upright frame(25) drivable as a unit and, thus,are movable in common.
 2. A storageshelf according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross members (10)are interconnected via lateral beams (24) to form the frame (25).
 3. Astorage shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame (25)with the cross members (10a) is drivable by one working cylinder (48).4. A storage shelf according to claim 2, characterized in that the frame(25) is connected with chain drives (27) the chain wheels (29, 30) ofwhich are mounted in a framework (8) of the storage shelf via shafts(31, 32), the shafts (31, 32) being synchronously drivable.
 5. A storageshelf according to claim 4, characterized in that the frame (25) isconnected with the chain drives (27) in the region of the uppermost andlowermost cross members (10).
 6. A storage shelf according to claim 1,characterized in that the cross members (10) are fastened to the ends ofarms (38a, 38b, 38c) projecting from the frame (25) in the movementdirection thereof.
 7. A storage shelf according to claim 6,characterized in that at least some of the arms (38a, 38c), via rollers(42), are mounted in lateral guide rails (43) which are fastened in aframework (8) of the storage shelf.
 8. A storage shelf according toclaim 6, characterized in that toothed ledges (39) are provided on atleast two arms (38b) and mesh with toothed wheels (40) which arefastened on a common shaft (41) which is mounted in the framework (8)and connected with a driving device (33).
 9. A storage shelf accordingto claim 2, characterized in that the drivers (13) are connected withthe cross members (10a) via arms (44), and additional arms (44') areattached to the frame (25) which carry rollers (50) at their ends, therollers being mounted in guide rails (51) on a framework (8) of thestorage shelf.
 10. A storage shelf according to claim 9, characterizedin that the frame (25), e.g. at approximately the middle of its height,is connected with working cylinders (48) fastened to the framework (8).11. A storage shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that thecross members (10) of the frame (25) define carriages (52) with wheels(53) running in lateral guides (54).
 12. A storage shelf according toclaim 11, characterized in that at least the uppermost and the lowermostcarriage (52) which are associated to one row each of adjacent storagecompartments (5) are coupled with a crank disk (57) via a connecting rod(56), the shaft (58) of the crank disk being mounted in a framework (8)of the storage shelf.
 13. A storage shelf according to claim 12,characterized in that the crank disks (57) of the carriages (52) arecoupled among each other by toothed belts (59) and driven via onedriving device (33).
 14. A storage shelf according to claim 11,characterized in that the guides (54) and the storage compartments (5)are arranged to be slantedly downwardly inclined in the shift-outdirection.
 15. A storage shelf according to claim 1, characterized inthat on at least one cross member (10) in the region of at least onedriver (13), a sensor (23') monitoring the shift-out operation at theassociated storage compartment (5) is arranged.
 16. A storage shelfaccording to claim 15, characterized in that the sensor (23') is alsoadapted to sense whether the storage compartment (5) contains items (11)or is empty.
 17. A storage shelf according to claim 15, characterized inthat the sensor (23') is an optical sensor.
 18. A storage shelfaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the drivers (13) are formedor driven, respectively, by extendable magnetic cores of solenoids (12)arranged on the cross members (10).
 19. An arrangement comprising aplurality of storage shelves according to claim 12, characterized inthat on either side of a conveying belt (4), opposite storage shelves(1, 1'; 2, 2') are provided and the carriages (52) of opposite storageshelves are driven via associated connecting rods (56) by a common crankdisk (57) arranged between the storage shelves.